The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1887-12-08
THE PADDOCK MURDER.
John Arensdorf Acquitted of the
Murder of Mr.. haddock, Thus
DISCLOSING of the Case,

Sioux City Special Telegram, Dec. 9.-The
trial OF John Arensdorf for the murder Of
Rev. George c. Haddock came to a sudden
close at O'Clock this evening. At 6 CLOCK
the case was finally submitted to the jury,
the whole day having been occupied by
Hon. NJ. D. O'Connell OF Fort Dodge, who
closed the final argument for the state.
He said
It was the duty of every man to obey
the law. A jury has no right to deal out
wisdom to the lawmakers. He referred to
Erwin as the great classic pine tree of the
North. He denounced Attorney Tread.
well as the leading spirit in the conspiracy
which killed Haddock. Treadwell made a
speech at the saloonkeepers' meeting of
an incendiary nature. Arensdorf was the
leader OF the saloon men. They obeyed
him because the others lacked courage to
carry out their plans. He did not. Arens-
dori fired the shot which killed Haddock
while the rest OF the crowd halted.
At few minutes before 8 o'clock the
jury came in and announced a verdict OF
not guilty. The court had been summoned
q few minutes before, and the defendant
and his attorneys and the attor-
neys for the state were present.
The court room was about half filled
with a crowd, which had swiftly gathered
as the news OF the agreement of the jury
spread. There was a slight demonstration
in the court room, but four or five of the
spectators refused to join in it. Assoon rs
the verdict was announced Arensdorf's
counsel moved for his discharge and the
motion was granted. The DEFENDANTS
counsel graspe 1 his hand, but he hurried
away to thank the members Of the jury.
who had been dismissed by the court. It
is safe to say that this verdict finally and
forever disposes OF the Haddock murder
case, and that the man who actually fired
the shot will never be punished.
The Sioux City Journal gives q briefsum-
mary OF w. w. Erwin sspeech in the Arens-
dorf trail, from which the following is tax
en- as showing that the address bristled
with sayings that are distinctly character.
istic of the great criminal lawyer OF st.
Paul:
II am conscious" he said that at this
august moment stand before a jury OF
kings" For nearly an hour he
eulogized American citizenhood and
sounded the keynote OF the defense
the inalienable right OF Americans to drink
what they please. Christ, the first great
lawbreaker," employing Mr.. Erwin's ex-
preston. overturned the bigotry OF Mos
es, and from that Time little by little, theop-
preston of fanatics has been lossened on
the souls OF men," He proceeded to attack
Gov. Larrabee. the private prosecutors, !"
ae he sneeringly termed the gentlemen at
the states table, and the press a. ''con-
spirators." Familiar words on the speak
er's lips were THE Gentle jesus and
Christ" but always coupled with unfa-
vorable comparisons Of Iowa Christians
work and the Divine Masters. DR.. Had
dock came in for his share OF con-
demnatiou. He was denounced as "a era
~ fanatic, ian armed, disguised, prowl-
ing. midnight spy and informer." The
name OF martyr" was Indignantly denied
him, as he had sought the fate that befell
him." '.Haddock drummed upon the Lax
ar houee and Leavitt came ont and slew
him." Tho charge was repeatedly made.
Leavitt was called ''the murderer from
first to last" 1.-THE brutal ianaticism Of
Haddock walked up to the portals Of your
temple ofjustice and proianed this forum, ("
said Erwin. He spoke Of .IAnatieal pray
or msetings," and said the time had come
aor revolt against this tyranny Of the
church. The sacrament Of the lord 3 supper
could not be observed without 2 permit